tell Quinn,” as he left his cottage.
But he became alarmed and turned back to the cottage. He felt a little paranoid. His neighbors may want to search his cottage when he was not there. Especially now his Grandfather was gone. He had never experienced such paranoid thoughts. With such thoughts he thought he should listen to them and hide his Map deep under his bed. Afterall, it would not have been the first time. A neighbor had made themselves comfortable with his belongings. Although there was no neighbor who had actually stolen from him yet. He was aware that his thoughts were paranoid, because he felt vulnerable without his Grandfather. Fergus then again, began to rush to Quinn. Quinn was very busy though with house chores. She had little time to listen to what Fergus had to say. But when she heard what he was telling of the Map, she froze.
“Quinn,” said Fergus, “Are you alright?”
“Are you considering leaving the Gully. Your friends and your Grandfather’s cottage,” Quinn scoffed. As she tried to hide the fact, how she would miss Fergus.
“I will be back. The Map has a return pathway on it,” said Fergus in excitement. “I do not know how long I will be.”
Quinn began to get heavy chested. Her best friend was about to leave her. She was questioning why Fergus would want to follow a Map. That may be a fabricated tale, or something misleading. And also, how it could send him on a wild, deathly journey? But Quinn was mature for her age at seventeen. She knew exactly what she should do. That was to wish Fergus with good will.
“Is that all you have to say?” Fergus asked.
Quinn was busy though and she did not want to explain how she was feeling. Fergus lowered his head. He told Quinn how he was going to leave early the coming morning and how he would miss her. Quinn appeared to brush off his very words. Quinn’s actions left Fergus to feel as though he would not be missed, and he was not cared for as much as he thought he was. Fergus walked on home finding a stone to kick on his way. In doing this, he again began to think how he had never left the Gully throughout his whole seventeen years. He then thought how it was only a few more sleeps when he would then turn eighteen years. He would then be recognized as a man.
Upon arriving back to his cottage, Fergus examined his bed to see if anything had been moved. Nothing had been. He felt relieved his Map was still in his possession. Who only knows what one of the neighbors would do with his Map? They may believe him to be void of their moral principles, those being the belief of their idolized Gods. Then again, he began to feel a little saddened with Quinn’s reaction. Fergus laid on his bed, only not to squash his Map. He gazed to the ceiling. Czar was close by as usual. Fergus began telling Czar how they were going to leave the Gully. And experience new journey’s the coming morning. Fergus thought Czar seemed to be somewhat restless though. Fergus then noticed how the shadows from the sun were showing it to be early mid-day. Yet Fergus laid on his bed and stared to the ceiling till dark came.
Fergus pondered how he should be feeling excited. Only instead, he was feeling somewhat miserable. Fergus awaited the coming Moons shadow’s that would pass over the cottage window. He cherished the Moons movements. He thought it important that the movement from the nights sky. Influence what the Heavens held for the next coming day. But then Czar all a sudden became restless, wriggling his way of the bed and onto the window sill. Out of interest, Fergus also got of his bed. And went to the window sill for him, he saw something which only transpires to those who are blessed from the Divine.
Obligors.
Chapter Three.
The two Moons were moving through the night sky. One above the other. The reflections from both made the skies illuminate. In a rare display of different colors; red, and blue shimmers. This was a very infrequent event. Fergus was fortunate enough to witness some falling spheres. All being of beautiful rainbow colors, which was emerging from the Moon’s lights. They appeared to be falling only a short distance away.
Fergus knew, once the falling spheres touch the ground, they would become cold. They would then change into ‘Obligors’. The Obligors received their name because of the word ‘Obligor’. It was when one takes on an obligation to another where they form a pact. So, on discovering an Obligor, they form a life contract to those who find them.
Fergus took a burning stake from the cottages fire. So, he could see where he was walking throughout the cold, balmy darkness. He rushed in haste from the cottage with much excitement. Running as fast as his legs would take him. While also hoping no-one else saw the spheres falling in the night’s darkness.
It would have to have been a short time when he reached, where he thought the Obligors may have landed. He stood still for a moment while wiping the sweat from his brow. The evening was not as dark as usual, with the two Moons high in the night sky. But for some reason. Fergus felt as though someone may have been watching his movements. Yet, this did not discourage Fergus from his search. Unfortunately, after searching for some time, Fergus found nothing. This left him to feel gloomy and disappointed. He then began to track back to his cottage.
On his walk back amidst the night, Fergus now began to feel alone. He was thankful with the feeling of him being watched, was passing. Something more began to concern Fergus though. He could hear a rustle in the shrubs ahead. Again, this made him question how someone may still be watching him, causing much concern. But deep down, he knew how the boundaries of the Gully were some of the safest you could walk. Any time of the day or night. And after all, Fergus did not see a soul. No-one at all.
It was fortunate Fergus knew the lands like the back of his hand. This found him to feel comforted, knowing he would not get lost in the night’s darkness. A darkness that left his imagination to see him being ravaged by any brute Beast, or an unknown creature.
Fergus heard another spine-chilling noise. There was another rustle in the shrubs. Fergus froze immediately. Then in surprise Czar ran up his leg. Fergus was so overcome with fear, so when it was only Czar who was rustling about, he felt he was over reacting again. With it only being Czar, Fergus felt very relieved. Placing Czar into his right back pocket of his pants, he began to walk back to his cottage. Yet, it was Czars behavior which seemed unusual, causing Fergus to come to a halt. Czar ran from Fergus and into some bushy shrubs. Fergus followed. After tripping on some twigs and falling over twice, Fergus saw something. He could not believe his eyes. There were sparkling balls of few colors.
Fergus thought to himself how these could be the Obligor he approached. The closer he got to the Obligor’s, the more beautiful they appeared. He was becoming mesmerized at their beauty. There were three. One Purple, one Green, and one Gold. He picked up a stick to poke them with, in case there was something about them that may cause harm. He sighed in relief when nothing transpired. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he picked one Obligor up after the other. He placed them into his shirt pocket under his woolen jumper, and close to his heart. The handkerchief would have to be enough, Fergus thought. Because he had nothing more to place his Obligors. Then not forgetting Czar. Fergus placed him back into his pants back pocket. And in anticipation, he walked a brisk pace back to his cottage.
The Obligors would see him with all the riches he could fathom. Men would lose their minds for such beauty, Fergus thought to himself.
Upon getting closer to his cottage, Fergus put the fire out on his twig. It was close to burning out anyhow. But Fergus’s most concern was to not cause any unwanted interest from the Gully folk.
Even with all the luck Fergus thought he had that evening, he still bumped into a neighbor. It scared the life from Fergus. His neighbor came from the darkness. He did not trust his neighbor. Even his neighbors name sound untrustworthy to Fergus. His neighbor liked to be called, Sir Trust. Everyone knew he was not a Sir, but who were to argue.
“What are you doing lad?” asked Sir Trust.
At that moment. Fergus was left wanting forgiveness from any divine after replying with a white lie. “Nothing Sir, heading home after looking for Czar,” and he pulled Czar out of his back pocket.
“You seem a little uneasy. Are you sure there is nothing you are not telling me?” asked Sir Trust as he leant forward to pat Fergus